Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Internal Medicine for April 2014. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
ALA: More Americans Breathing Unhealthy Air
WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Nearly 148 million Americans live in regions where air pollution levels are a threat to their health, according to the American Lung Association's 2014 State of the Air report. The number of people found to be breathing unhealthy air is nearly 16 million more than in the 2013 report.
Health Highlights: April 30, 2014
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Cholesterol Metabolism Linked to Lack of HIV-1 Progression
WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Cholesterol metabolism seems to be associated with a lack of HIV-1 trans infection, seen in HIV-1 infected nonprogressors (NPs), according to a study published online April 29 in mBio.
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FDA Considering OTC Use of Singulair for Allergies
WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Over-the-counter use of Singulair as a treatment for allergies is being considered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Health Highlights: April 30, 2014
Waist Circumference Linked to Breast Cancer Risk
WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Larger waist circumference correlates with increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, but not beyond its contribution to body mass index (BMI), according to a study published online April 9 in Cancer Causes & Control.
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Established Modifiable Factors Account for Half of Strokes
WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Established causal and modifiable factors, including hypertension and smoking, account for about half of all strokes, according to a study published online April 29 in PLOS Medicine.
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Nongroup Insurance Market Lacked Stability Before ACA
WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The nongroup insurance market has been characterized by frequent disruptions in coverage before implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to research published online April 23 in Health Affairs.
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Lower Levels of Physical Capability Linked to Mortality
WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Lower levels of physical capability are associated with increased mortality, and daily activity is inversely associated with disability in those with or at risk of knee osteoarthritis, according to two studies published online April 29 in BMJ.
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Alcohol + Tobacco Combo Markedly Ups Esophageal CA Risk
WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The combined use of alcohol and tobacco has a synergistic effect on the risk of developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), according to research published in online April 22 in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
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Modafinil Doesn't Improve NSCLC-Related Fatigue
WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The central nervous system stimulant modafinil is not effective in treating non-small-cell lung cancer-related fatigue, according to a study published online April 28 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Higher Dietary Fiber Intake Tied to Lower Mortality in MI Survivors
WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Greater dietary fiber intake, particularly cereal fiber, is associated with lower all-cause mortality among patients who have survived a myocardial infarction (MI), according to a study published online April 29 in BMJ.
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Spinal Fx Complications, Mortality Up With Ankylosing Spondylitis
WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Spinal fracture patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) disorders have higher complication and mortality rates, compared with control patients, according to a study published in the May 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
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Pharmacist Service Can Be Considered 'Incident to' Service
TUESDAY, April 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Physicians may bill for pharmacist services as part of the "incident to" services provided to Medicare patients, according to communication between the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
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High-Dose Antidepressants Tied to Increased Self-Harm
TUESDAY, April 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Children and young adults taking high-dose antidepressants are at heightened risk of deliberate self-harm, compared to those taking modal-therapeutic doses, according to a study published online April 28 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Gender of Researcher Found to Affect Stress Response in Mice
TUESDAY, April 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The scent of male researchers, but not females, triggers stress in lab mice and rats -- stress that might alter the findings of experiments, according to a study published online April 28 in Nature Methods.
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ACOG Issues Guidelines for Routine HIV Testing for Women
TUESDAY, April 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Females aged 13 to 64 years should undergo HIV testing at least once in their lifetime, with annual testing thereafter recommended based on risk factors, according to a Committee Opinion published in the May issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Drinking More Coffee May Cut Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
TUESDAY, April 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Increasing coffee consumption may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to research published online April 24 in Diabetologia.
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Aspirin Use Cuts CRC Risk With High 15-PGDH Expression
TUESDAY, April 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Regular aspirin use is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer in association with high hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase 15-(nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) (15-PGDH) expression, according to a study published in the April 23 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
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Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Linked to Job Loss
TUESDAY, April 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Breast cancer survivors who received adjuvant chemotherapy during initial treatment appear to be at increased risk of undesired unemployment during the next four years, according to research published online April 28 in Cancer.
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Winter's Polar Vortex Ushers in Spring's 'Pollen Vortex'
TUESDAY, April 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Allergy experts say that the long, cold winter kept trees dormant for longer than usual, which means tree pollen season will overlap with grass pollen and mold seasons this year.
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Medical Marijuana May Aid Some MS Symptoms
TUESDAY, April 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Certain forms of medical marijuana can help treat some symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), but there is not enough evidence to support its utility in treating motor problems associated with other conditions, according to a review published in the April 29 issue of Neurology.
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Meta-Analysis: Vitamin D Does Not Cut Falls by ≥15 Percent
TUESDAY, April 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Vitamin D supplementation, with or without calcium, does not reduce the risk of falls by 15 percent or more, according to a trial sequential meta-analysis published online April 24 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
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Body Size, Composition Linked to Function, QOL in Dialysis
TUESDAY, April 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), body size and composition are significantly associated with physical functioning and quality-of-life, according to a study published in the April issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
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USPSTF Recommends Behavioral Counseling to Prevent STIs
MONDAY, April 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends intensive behavioral counseling for all sexually active adolescents and adults at increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In a second recommendation, the Task Force also advises chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for women at risk of infection.
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Physician Groups Should Register to Avoid 2016 PQRS Penalty: AMA
MONDAY, April 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- To avoid the additional 2016 value-based modifier of 2 percent, practices with 10 or more physicians must participate in the 2014 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) Group Practice Reporting Option through September 30, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
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Consistent Follow-Up Care for Cancer Survivors Found Lacking
MONDAY, April 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- More effort is needed to improve the follow-up care of cancer survivors, according to research published online April 21 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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BMI Linked to Coronary Plaque in Asymptomatic Diabetes
MONDAY, April 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For asymptomatic patients with diabetes, body mass index (BMI) is directly related to coronary plaque, as measured by coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography, according to a study published online April 22 in Radiology.
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FDA: Psychiatric Side Effects of Chantix to Be Reviewed in Fall
MONDAY, April 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The mental health risks associated with Chantix will be reviewed at a public meeting scheduled for October, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. The meeting will feature a panel of experts who will discuss the psychiatric and behavioral side effects of Chantix and how best to manage them, The New York Times reported.
Health Highlights: April 28, 2014
Docs, Patients Have Different Attitudes Toward End-of-Life Care
FRIDAY, April 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Attitudes toward end-of-life resource allocation differ for patients with cancer and their caregivers and for physicians, according to a study published online April 24 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
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For Statin Users, Caloric, Fat Intake Up Since 1999 to 2000
FRIDAY, April 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For statin users, but not nonusers, caloric and fat intake increased significantly from 1999-2000 to 2009-2010, according to a study published online April 24 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Educational Attainment Affects Brain Injury Recovery
FRIDAY, April 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Educational attainment is a robust, independent predictor of one-year disability-free recovery (DFR) after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to a study published online April 23 in Neurology.
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SLIP-2 Tops Original SLIP Model for ID'ing Post-Op ARDS
FRIDAY, April 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The updated surgical lung injury prediction 2 (SLIP-2) model outperforms the original SLIP model for identifying patients at risk for postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), according to a study published in the May issue of Anesthesiology.
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Benzodiazepines May Worsen Respiratory Outcomes in COPD
FRIDAY, April 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- New use of benzodiazepines may increase the risk of adverse respiratory outcomes in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to research published online April 17 in the European Respiratory Journal.
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Dermatologist Care Tied to Better Self-Detection of Melanoma
FRIDAY, April 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with self-detected primary melanoma who have an established dermatologist are more likely to have thinner lesions at the time of diagnosis, according to research published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Serum Marker Predicts Cardiovascular Events in Diabetes
FRIDAY, April 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Elevated levels of polyclonal serum immunoglobulin combined free light chains (cFLCs) may indicate adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to research published online April 17 in Diabetes Care.
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Cannabis May Cause Heart Problems in Young Adults
FRIDAY, April 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Young adults who use cannabis may experience serious, sometimes fatal, cardiovascular complications, according to research published online April 23 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
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CDC: Workplace Ladder Falls a Major Cause of Deaths, Injuries
FRIDAY, April 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Workplace tumbles off of ladders are a major cause of injury and death among American employees, according to a study published in the April 25 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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FDA Approves HPV Test for Cervical Cancer Screening
FRIDAY, April 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test for women aged 25 years and older that can be used to assess the need for a woman to undergo additional diagnostic testing for cervical cancer. In addition, the test can provide information about a patient's future risk for developing cervical cancer.
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Multiple-Gene Sequencing IDs Mutations in Non-BRCA Genes
FRIDAY, April 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A considerable number of women testing negative for BRCA1/2 may have pathogenic mutations in other genes, according to a study published online April 14 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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CDC: Measles on Upswing Despite Vaccines' Effectiveness
FRIDAY, April 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Vaccinations have prevented an estimated 732,000 deaths, 21 million hospitalizations, and 322 million illnesses among U.S. children born in the last 20 years, according to a government report published in the April 25 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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FDA Proposes E-Cigarette Regulations
THURSDAY, April 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is proposing long-awaited regulations governing the fast-growing electronic cigarette industry.
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FDA Approves Sylvant for Multicentric Castleman's Disease
THURSDAY, April 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Sylvant (siltuximab) to treat patients with multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD), according to a news release issued by the agency today.
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Impact of Rising Incidence of Measles Discussed
THURSDAY, April 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- With the rising incidence of measles, the importance of vaccination should be emphasized and precautions must be exercised in cases of suspected measles, according to a commentary piece published online April 24 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Physician Groups Find Fault With Medicare Payment Data Release
THURSDAY, April 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Physician groups cite major problems associated with the release of Medicare payment data, according to an article published April 16 in Medical Economics.
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Chronic Prostate Inflammation Tied to High-Grade Cancer
THURSDAY, April 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The presence of chronic inflammation in benign prostate tissue samples is associated with prostate cancer, especially high-grade disease, according to a study published online April 18 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
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Irrational Health Beliefs Predict Adherence to Cardiac Rehab
THURSDAY, April 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Irrational health beliefs, but not depression, predict adherence to cardiac rehabilitation (CR), according to a study published in Health Psychology.
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Out-of-Pocket Costs Decline for Patients With Diabetes
THURSDAY, April 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- During the past decade, out-of-pocket (OOP) costs have declined for individuals with diabetes, according to research published online March 25 in Diabetes Care.
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Educational Changes Suggested for Patient-Centered Medicine
THURSDAY, April 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Changes in medical education and training are suggested to help new physicians address the needs of patients and their families, according to an ideas and opinions piece published in the April 22 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Research Initiatives Demonstrate Ways to Speed Stroke Care
WEDNESDAY, April 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- New efforts to hasten treatment in both ambulances and emergency rooms appear to have significantly improved patients' chances of survival and limited their long-term disability, according to a pair of studies published in the April 23/30 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Rising Role Seen for Health Education Specialists
WEDNESDAY, April 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A health education specialist can help family practices implement quality improvement projects with limited additional financial resources, according to an article published in the March/April issue of Family Practice Management.
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Medicare ACOs Face Accountability Challenges
WEDNESDAY, April 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- There are significant challenges to achieving organizational accountability in accountable care organizations (ACOs) assigned to Medicare beneficiaries, according to a study published online April 21 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Vitamin D Levels Linked to Activity Level in Severely Obese
WEDNESDAY, April 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Among the severely obese, vitamin D status is related to physical activity and physical function, according to research published online April 15 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
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FDA Proposes Accelerated Medical Device Approval Plan
WEDNESDAY, April 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has proposed a new program that would provide expedited access to high-risk medical devices intended for patients with serious conditions whose medical needs are not met by current technology.
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Statins May Reduce Risk of Progression of Renal Cancer
WEDNESDAY, April 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Use of statins is associated with a reduced risk of progression of localized renal cell carcinoma, according to research published in the April issue of The Journal of Urology.
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Review: Sugar-Sweetened Drink Intake Tied to Elevated BP
WEDNESDAY, April 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake is associated with elevated blood pressure (BP), according to a review published in the May 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
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Frequency of Arrhythmia Up in Nocturnal Hypoglycemia
WEDNESDAY, April 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes, nocturnal hypoglycemia is associated with increased frequency of arrhythmia, according to a study published in the May issue of Diabetes.
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Short-Term Anxiety Up With False-Positive Mammogram
WEDNESDAY, April 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- False-positive mammogram results are tied to increased short-term, but not long-term, anxiety, according to a study published online April 21 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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New Scale Useful for Predicting Sick Leave for Back Pain
WEDNESDAY, April 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A new user-friendly 10-item rating scale is useful for predicting the duration of sick leave in patients with acute lumbar back pain, according to a study published in the April 20 issue of Spine.
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Majority of Americans Support ACA Birth Control Mandate
TUESDAY, April 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Nearly 70 percent of Americans support the new health care law's mandated coverage of birth control, according to research published online April 22 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Acetazolamide and Low-Sodium Diet Improve Vision
TUESDAY, April 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The combination of acetazolamide and a low-sodium weight-reduction diet modestly improves visual field function in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and mild visual loss, compared to diet alone, according to a study published in the April 23/30 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Homes Now 'Reservoirs' for Superbug MRSA
TUESDAY, April 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is now taking up residence in people's homes, according to a new study published online April 21 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Conservative Management Better for Arteriovenous Malformations
TUESDAY, April 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs), use of conservative management is associated with better clinical outcomes for up to 12 years, compared to interventional treatment, according to a study published in the April 23/30 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Considerable Sudden Death in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
TUESDAY, April 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) without traditional risk factors and with no or mild symptoms have a considerable rate of sudden cardiac death, according to a study published in the May 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
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Pre-HPV Vaccine, Most Oropharyngeal Cancers HPV+
TUESDAY, April 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Most oropharyngeal cancers in the United States diagnosed between 1995 and 2005 were positive for human papillomavirus (HPV), specifically HPV 16 or 18, according to a study published in the May issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Emerging Infectious Diseases.
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Cancer Patients Need Anxiety, Depression Screening
TUESDAY, April 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- It is important to recognize and treat anxiety or depression among cancer patients, according to a clinical guideline published online April 14 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea Linked to Osteoporosis
TUESDAY, April 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, according to a study published online April 15 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
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Low Glucose Tied to Higher Aggressive Impulses, Behavior
TUESDAY, April 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Glucose levels may be tied to aggressive impulses and behaviors in married couples, according to a study published online April 14 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Type of Attending Doc Affects Feeding Tube Rates in Elderly
TUESDAY, April 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The rate of feeding tube insertions in hospitalized patients with severe dementia varies by type of attending physician, according to a study published in the April issue of Health Affairs.
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Task Force Recommends Ways to Improve Price Transparency
MONDAY, April 21, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Price transparency frameworks, which provide price information presented in the context of other relevant information, should be developed to meet patients' needs, according to recommendations presented in a report from the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).
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Primary Care Doctors Must Influence Lifestyle Changes
MONDAY, April 21, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Primary care physicians (PCPs) are increasingly called upon to manage circulatory and circulatory-related diseases among their patients, according to an article published April 10 in Medical Economics.
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Vegetarian Black Adventists Have Lower Cardiovascular Risk
MONDAY, April 21, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A vegetarian diet may reduce cardiovascular risk in black individuals, according to research published online March 17 in Public Health Nutrition.
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High Total, Animal Protein Intake Ups Type 2 Diabetes Risk
MONDAY, April 21, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- High total and animal protein intake correlates with increased incidence of type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online April 10 in Diabetes Care.
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Low Adherence Rates for Prostate Cancer Quality of Care Measures
MONDAY, April 21, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Adherence to established prostate cancer quality of care measures is frequently low, with considerable regional variation, according to a study published in the April issue of The Journal of Urology.
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FDA Approves Ragwitek for Adult Ragweed Allergy
FRIDAY, April 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Ragwitek has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat allergy to short ragweed among adults aged 18 to 65.
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AMA Examines Economic Impact of Physicians
FRIDAY, April 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Physicians who mainly engage in patient care contribute a total of $1.6 trillion in economic output, according to the American Medical Association (AMA)'s Economic Impact Study.
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Reduced Salt Intake Likely Dropped BP Levels in England
FRIDAY, April 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The reduction of dietary salt intake between 2003 and 2011 was likely an important contributor to decreases in blood pressure (BP) in the population of England, according to research published online April 14 in BMJ Open.
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Standard Ultrasound Criteria Needed in Carotid Artery Stenosis
FRIDAY, April 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Standardization of the diagnostic criteria defining the degree of carotid artery stenosis is needed for carotid duplex ultrasonography, according to research published online April 15 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
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Int'l Medical Education Standards Not Equivalent to U.K. Standards
FRIDAY, April 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- International medical graduates passing the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) of the General Medical Council (GMC) have lower performance on MRCP(UK) (Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians) and MRCGP (Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners) and on annual review of competence progression (ARCP) examinations, according to two studies published online April 17 in BMJ.
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White House: 8 Million People Signed Up for Health Insurance
FRIDAY, April 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Eight million Americans signed up for private health insurance during the just-concluded first enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act, the White House announced Thursday afternoon.
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Salmonella Cases Dip but Food Poisoning Rates Remain High
FRIDAY, April 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- While the United States has seen a decline in the number of Salmonella illnesses in recent years, there's been little progress overall in reducing food poisoning outbreaks, according to a report published in the April 18 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Trust in Provider Improves Antidepressant Adherence in DM
FRIDAY, April 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with diabetes who lack trust and shared decision-making with their providers are less likely to be adherent to antidepressant therapy for depression, according to research published online April 5 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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One in 20 U.S. Adults a Victim of Diagnostic Errors
THURSDAY, April 17, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Diagnostic errors affect at least one in 20 U.S. adults, according to research published online April 17 in BMJ Quality & Safety.
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Patient-Clinician Relationship Impacts Health Care Outcomes
THURSDAY, April 17, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The patient-clinician relationship has a small but significant effect on health care outcomes, according to a study published online April 9 in PLOS ONE.
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Physical Activity May Reduce Readmission Risk in COPD
THURSDAY, April 17, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of 30-day readmission, according to a study published online April 9 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
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Considerable Variation in CT Use in Ischemic Stroke
THURSDAY, April 17, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with ischemic stroke there is considerable variation in the rates of high-intensity computed tomography (CT) use, according to a study published online April 8 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
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Educator Discusses Key Issues for Future Doctors to Consider
THURSDAY, April 17, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The key issues for future physicians are discussed in an article published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
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Diverse Options Available for Family Physicians
WEDNESDAY, April 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The diversity of family medicine career options are described in a blog post published by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
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Diabetes-Related Complications Declined, 1990 to 2010
WEDNESDAY, April 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Rates of diabetes-related complications have declined substantially over the past two decades, according to a study published in the April 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Informed Patients Question Unnecessary Prescriptions
WEDNESDAY, April 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Well-informed patients might make better choices about what prescriptions they take, according to the evaluation of an educational intervention aimed at encouraging seniors to discontinue sleeping pill use published online April 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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CDC: Regional Trends Seen for Complementary Health Services
WEDNESDAY, April 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Yoga and meditation are popular on the West Coast, Midwesterners often turn to chiropractors or osteopathic doctors, and nearly one in every five Americans use herbal supplements. These are among the findings of a new federal government report published in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's April edition of the National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief.
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ILAE Updates Definition of Epilepsy
WEDNESDAY, April 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A new definition of epilepsy resolves some lingering issues from the 2005 definition to improve the practicality of diagnosis for clinicians, according to an International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) official report published online April 14 in Epilepsia.
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Graves Disease Incidence Varies by Race
WEDNESDAY, April 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Graves disease is more common in blacks and Asian/Pacific Islanders compared with whites, according to a research letter published in the April 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Evidence Lacking for Long-Term Opioid Use in Low Back Pain
WEDNESDAY, April 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- There is evidence of short-term efficacy (moderate for pain and small for function) of opioids for treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP) compared with placebo; however, the effectiveness and safety of long-term opioid therapy for treatment of CLBP remains unproven, according to a review published in the April 1 issue of Spine.
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Continued Reliance on Windows XP May Threaten Data Security
WEDNESDAY, April 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Physicians who use Windows XP in their practices may be affected by Microsoft's recent discontinuation of support for the program, according to an article published April 8 in Medical Economics.
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Prevalence of Diabetes Has Skyrocketed in the U.S.
WEDNESDAY, April 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- During the past two decades, the prevalence of diabetes in the United States has increased substantially, according to research published in the April 15 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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FDA Approves Tanzeum for Type 2 Diabetes
TUESDAY, April 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Tanzeum (albiglutide) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help control blood glucose, along with diet and exercise, in adults with type 2 diabetes.
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Younger Adults Hit Hardest This Flu Season
TUESDAY, April 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The H1N1 flu was the predominant influenza strain in the United States this year, but it packed a lot less punch than in 2009 when it caused a worldwide pandemic, health officials report.
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CDC: Drowning Deaths Down Overall, but Still a Problem
TUESDAY, April 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Drowning deaths are still a problem in the United States, even though overall deaths from drowning are down, according to a report published in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's April edition of the National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief.
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Patients Paying Much More for Specialty Drugs
TUESDAY, April 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Many Americans are paying less for prescription drugs, but some are having to deal with sharp rises in the cost of specialty medicines for rare or serious diseases, according to a new report.
Health Highlights: April 15, 2014
Depression Predicts Subsequent Computer Use in Young Men
TUESDAY, April 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For young men, but not women, symptoms of depression at age 20 years predict subsequent computer use, according to a study published in the March issue of Preventive Medicine.
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Intensive Insulin Rx Lowers Glycemic Variability in Early DM
TUESDAY, April 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Short-term intensive insulin therapy (IIT) can improve β-cell function in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in association with decreased glycemic variability, according to a study published in the April issue of Diabetes Care.
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NSAIDs With Anticoagulant Tx Ups Major Bleeding in VTE
TUESDAY, April 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Concomitant use of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or aspirin in patients with venous thromboembolism receiving anticoagulant therapy is tied to increased risk of bleeding, according to a study published online April 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Six-Minute Walk Test Could Help Guide Heart Failure Treatment
TUESDAY, April 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Distance achieved in the six-minute walk test may be a practical measure of functional capacity that guides selection of therapy for patients with heart failure, according to research published online April 9 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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iPLEDGE Isotretinoin Counseling May Need Updating
MONDAY, April 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The iPLEDGE program needs to provide women with information about more contraceptive choices, including reversible contraceptives, according to research published in the April issue of JAMA Dermatology.
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Fewer Ophthalmologists Equals Less Diabetic Eye Care
TUESDAY, April 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- In areas with less access to ophthalmologists, fewer individuals with diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) receive care, according to a study published in the April issue of JAMA Ophthalmology.
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Internists Favor Public Policy to Reduce Gun Violence
TUESDAY, April 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Most internists believe that firearm-related violence is a public health issue and favor policy initiatives aimed at reducing it, according to research published online April 10 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Serum Potassium Levels Linked to Long-Term Mortality Post-MI
MONDAY, April 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), serum potassium levels are associated with long-term mortality risk, according to a study published in the April 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
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High-Fat Diet Tied to Certain Subtypes of Breast Cancer
MONDAY, April 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- High intake of saturated fats is associated with increased risk of certain subtypes of breast cancer, according to research published online April 9 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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New Health Secretary to Confront Health Care Reform Hurdles
MONDAY, April 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- With the resignation of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Friday, the Affordable Care Act will get a fresh face. But turning around public perception of the controversial health care reform law in a politically charged mid-term election year poses an enormous challenge for the department's next leader, policy experts said.
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Video-Based Info Increases Men's Skin Health Awareness
MONDAY, April 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to video-based education increases men's skin awareness and attendance at whole-body clinical skin examinations (CSEs), according to a study published in the April issue of JAMA Dermatology.
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CRC Resection Morbidity, Mortality Still Higher for Elderly
MONDAY, April 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Despite an overall improved mortality seen during the past 10 years, advancing age is associated with higher morbidity and mortality in colorectal cancer resection, according to a study published online April 9 in JAMA Surgery.
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Longer ICU Stays May Worsen Quality of Life in Recovery
MONDAY, April 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Longer durations of bed rest during intensive care unit (ICU) stays for acute lung injury may cause lingering physical complications, according to research published in the April issue of Critical Care Medicine.
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Elderly African-Americans May Have Higher Alzheimer's Burden
MONDAY, April 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Older African-Americans may be disproportionately burdened by Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the April issue of Health Affairs.
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AAFP Provides Tips to Address Patients' Vaccine Concerns
MONDAY, April 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Physicians remain the biggest influence on whether patients get vaccinated, and must be prepared to address patients' reservations, according to an article published in the March/April issue of Family Practice Management.
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Chronic Pancreatitis Ups Risk of Cancer Death
FRIDAY, April 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Individuals with chronic pancreatitis (CP) are at higher risk for cancer death and other comorbidities than those without CP, according to a study published in the April issue of Gastroenterology.
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Does Facebook Make Women Feel Bad About Their Bodies?
FRIDAY, April 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Too much time on Facebook may take a toll on a young woman's sense of self-esteem, particularly how she feels about her body, a new study suggests. The research is to be presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, held from May 22 to 26 in Seattle.
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Insight Into One's Own Abilities Only Moderate
FRIDAY, April 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Individuals have only moderate insight into their own abilities and skills, according to research published in the March issue of Perspectives on Psychological Science.
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$31.3B Spent on Development Assistance for Health in 2013
FRIDAY, April 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Disease burden, income, and funding levels are not always aligned in the allocation of development assistance resources, according to a study published online April 8 in Health Affairs.
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Insomnia Linked to Increased Risk of Subsequent Stroke
FRIDAY, April 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Insomnia is associated with an increased risk of subsequent stroke, especially among younger adults, according to a study published online April 3 in Stroke.
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Blood Glucose Levels Set for Achieving HbA1c Targets
FRIDAY, April 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The average self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) concentrations needed at premeal, postmeal, and bedtime have been established to achieve a range of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) targets, according to research published in the April issue of Diabetes Care.
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In Older Women, Aerobic Training Ups Hippocampal Volume
FRIDAY, April 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For older women with probable mild cognitive impairment (MCI), aerobic training is associated with increased hippocampal volume, while increased left hippocampal volume is linked to reduced verbal memory and learning performance, according to research published online April 7 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
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Sebelius Stepping Down As HHS Secretary
FRIDAY, April 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is stepping down from her position, after overseeing the troubled rollout of the Affordable Care Act that remains unpopular with some Americans and virtually all Republican lawmakers.
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Surgical Decisions for High-Risk Patients Needs Overhaul
FRIDAY, April 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- High-risk elderly patients facing decisions about major surgery may not always be presented with all treatment options, including less invasive choices, according to a perspective piece published in the April 10 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Benefits/Risks for Fibrinolytic Therapy in Intermediate-Risk PE
FRIDAY, April 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A single intravenous bolus of tenecteplase reduces early death and hemodynamic decompensation in normotensive patients with intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism, but increases the risk of major hemorrhage and stroke, according to a study published in the April 10 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Medicaid Expansion Hasn't Eroded Perceived Care Access
THURSDAY, April 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Previous Medicaid expansions did not diminish perceived access to care, according to a study published online April 7 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Updated Reviews Issued for Oseltamivir, Zanamivir Use in Flu
THURSDAY, April 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Oseltamivir and zanamivir reduce the time to symptomatic improvement in influenza by about half a day, but evidence to support claims of reduced admissions to hospital or complications of influenza is lacking, according to two systematic reviews of regulatory information published online April 10 in BMJ.
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Dietary Legume Intake May Cut LDL Cholesterol Levels
THURSDAY, April 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Dietary pulse (beans, chickpeas, lentils, and peas) intake seems to be associated with reductions in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis published online April 7 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
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NSAID Use Linked to Increased Risk of Atrial Fibrillation
THURSDAY, April 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- In elderly adults, current and recent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use is associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation, according to a study published online April 8 in BMJ Open.
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Financial Incentives Improve Completion of HBV Vaccination
THURSDAY, April 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Modest financial incentives significantly improve adherence to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination programs among patients receiving opioid dependence treatment, according to a study published online April 9 in The Lancet.
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Cognitive Decline Inversely Tied to Cancer Mortality Risk
THURSDAY, April 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Elderly individuals who experience faster cognitive decline appear to be at reduced risk of dying from cancer, according to research published online April 8 in Neurology.
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Fewer Americans Overwhelmed by Medical Bills
WEDNESDAY, April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- While millions of Americans still feel hamstrung by medical expenses, a new government report shows that some people are getting relief.
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Spironolactone Doesn't Improve Set of Outcomes in Diastolic CHF
WEDNESDAY, April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Spironolactone did not significantly reduce a composite outcome end point in heart failure patients with a preserved ejection fraction, according to a study published in the April 10 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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More Justification Needed for Choosing Wisely Selections
WEDNESDAY, April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Most services included in specialty medical societies' Top 5 lists for the Choosing Wisely campaign are based on evidence demonstrating equivalent but not superior benefit, with higher risk or higher costs compared to other options, according to a research letter published in the April 9 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Men With Eating Disorders Face Delayed Symptom Recognition
WEDNESDAY, April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Cultural misperceptions of eating disorders as a female problem pose a barrier to recognition of symptoms in men, according to a study published in the April issue of BMJ Open.
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Advice, Exercise Equally Effective for Chronic Whiplash
WEDNESDAY, April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Simple advice is as effective as a comprehensive exercise program for reducing pain in patients with chronic whiplash, according to research published online April 4 in The Lancet.
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Milk Tied to Slower Arthritis Progression in Women
WEDNESDAY, April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Frequent milk consumption may be associated with reduced osteoarthritis (OA) progression in women, according to a study published April 6 in Arthritis Care & Research.
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea Ups Risk of Barrett's Esophagus
WEDNESDAY, April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is independently associated with increased risk of Barrett's esophagus (BE), according to a study published in the April issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
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Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Linked to CKD in T1DM
WEDNESDAY, April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with type 1 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is independently associated with the risk of incident chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study published online April 2 in Diabetes Care.
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Depression, Functional Disability Common Post-ICU
WEDNESDAY, April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with respiratory failure or shock undergoing treatment in medical or surgical intensive care units, depression and functional disability are common, according to a study published online April 7 in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
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Some Doctors Paid at Least $3 Million Each by Medicare
WEDNESDAY, April 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A small number of doctors received at least $3 million each in Medicare payments in 2012, for a total of nearly $1.5 billion, according to an analysis of Medicare claims data released Wednesday by the White House. In total, Medicare paid individual physicians nearly $64 billion in 2012. The median payment was just over $30,000, the Associated Press reported.
Health Highlights: April 9, 2014
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Decrease in Tobacco Use on TV Dramas Since 1955
TUESDAY, April 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The portrayal of tobacco use on television (TV) dramas has decreased since 1955, in line with historical cigarette consumption trends, according to a study published online April 3 in Tobacco Control.
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Lifestyle Intervention Provides Lasting Benefits in IGT
TUESDAY, April 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For adults with impaired glucose tolerance, a six-year lifestyle intervention program reduces cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, and diabetes, according to a study published online April 3 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
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Stroke Risk May Be Elevated After Herpes Zoster Infection
TUESDAY, April 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Risk of stroke may be increased following herpes zoster infection, according to research published online April 8 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
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Perceived Stress Positively Linked to Allergy Flares
TUESDAY, April 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Those with persistent emotional stress may have more frequent allergy flares, according to a study published in the April issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
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Hypernatremia Linked to Post-Liver Transplant Mortality
TUESDAY, April 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Pre-liver transplant (LTx) hyponatremia does not affect post-LTx survival, but hypernatremia is a significant risk factor for post-LTx mortality, according to a study published online Feb. 25 in Liver Transplantation.
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NCQA Updates Recognition Standards for Medical Homes
TUESDAY, April 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has updated its guidelines for patient-centered medical homes, according to an article published March 27 in Medical Economics.
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Drinking Coffee Cuts Risk of Liver Cirrhosis Mortality
TUESDAY, April 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Coffee consumption is associated with reduced risk of mortality from cirrhosis related to non-viral hepatitis, according to research published online in Hepatology.
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Most PCPs Accepting New Patients, Insurance Still a Factor
TUESDAY, April 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Although most primary care physicians are accepting new patients, access for new patients varies across states and with insurance status, according to a study published online April 7 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Parental Addictions Linked to Arthritis in Adulthood
TUESDAY, April 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A history of parental addictions is associated with cumulative lifetime incidence of arthritis in adulthood, even after adjustment for potential risk factors, according to a study published online March 23 in the International Journal of Population Research.
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Newly Eligible for Expanded Medicaid Are Healthier
MONDAY, April 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Persons newly eligible for expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are not sicker than pre-ACA enrollees, according to research published online March 26 in Health Affairs.
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CDC: U.S. Traveler Returning From Africa Has Lassa Fever
MONDAY, April 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A person returning to the United States after visiting West Africa has been confirmed as having Lassa fever and is recovering after being treated at a Minnesota hospital, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday.
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Complications for One in Five Adults Undergoing Tonsillectomy
MONDAY, April 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- About 20 percent of adults undergoing tonsillectomy experience complications, according to a study published in the April issue of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
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Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms Persist Through Childhood
MONDAY, April 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For children with atopic dermatitis, symptoms persist throughout childhood into adulthood, according to a study published online April 2 in JAMA Dermatology.
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U-Shaped Association for Sodium Intake, Mortality
MONDAY, April 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Low and high sodium intake are associated with increased mortality, according to a meta-analysis published online March 20 in the American Journal of Hypertension.
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Vitamin D Supplementation May Be Beneficial in Depression
MONDAY, April 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Vitamin D supplementation has no overall effect on depressive symptoms, but may have a significant effect for those with clinically significant depression, according to a review published online March 14 in Psychosomatic Medicine.
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Early Elevation of Cardiac Risk Worsens Cognition in Midlife
MONDAY, April 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Higher levels of cumulative exposure to cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) from early to middle adulthood may worsen cognition in midlife, according to research published online March 31 in Circulation.
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Patients Select Fewer New Docs at Bottom of Tiered Ranking
MONDAY, April 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Patients are less likely to select a new physician ranked in the bottom of a tiered network, but often don't switch if their current physician is ranked at the bottom, according to research published online March 11 in Health Services Research.
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Mental Work Demands Affect Later Cognitive Functioning
FRIDAY, April 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The mental demands of one's job may have a protective effect on cognitive functioning even after retirement, according to a study published online March 17 in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology.
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Calorie Restriction Aids Aging in Primates; Contradicts Earlier Data
FRIDAY, April 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Calorie restriction (CR) may provide aging-related benefits, including a reduction in all-cause mortality, according to an animal study published online April 1 in Nature Communications.
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AMA Provides Resources to Aid Physicians' Collections
FRIDAY, April 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The American Medical Association (AMA) has released resources to help doctors confront policy jumpers who may pose a financial risk to physicians during the Affordable Care Act's 90-day premium grace period, according to an article published March 25 in Medical Economics.
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More Elderly Americans Completing Advance Directives
FRIDAY, April 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Over the past decade there has been a significant increase in the rate of completion of advance directives (ADs) among elderly Americans, according to research published online April 2 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Modifiable Factors Predict Sexual Dysfunction in Aging Men
FRIDAY, April 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Incidence and remission of erectile dysfunction (ED) and low sexual desire in aging men are predicted by a range of modifiable risk factors, according to research published online Feb. 18 in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
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Cardiorespiratory Fitness Impacts Later Cognitive Function
FRIDAY, April 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with better verbal memory and faster psychomotor speed 25 years later, according to a study published online April 2 in Neurology.
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Anti-Inflammatory Benefits for CKD Seen With Walking
FRIDAY, April 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Exercise may be an effective anti-inflammatory therapy in pre-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study published online April 3 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
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Early Childhood Interventions Greatly Improve Later Health
FRIDAY, April 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Early childhood interventions substantially improve health into adulthood, according to a study published in the March 28 issue of Science.
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Adenoma Detection Rate Linked to Interval Cancer Risk
FRIDAY, April 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The adenoma detection rate for screening colonoscopy performed by a physician is inversely associated with patient risk of subsequent colorectal cancer (interval cancer) and death, according to research published in the April 3 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Breath-Actuated, Handheld Nebulizers Yield Similar Results
FRIDAY, April 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- There are no significant clinical differences between the use of a breath-actuated nebulizer (BAN) and a handheld nebulizer (HHN) for the treatment of wheezing or dyspnea among adults seen in the emergency department, according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Emergency Nursing.
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Patient Safety Not Affected by Resident Hour Reforms
THURSDAY, April 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- In the year following 2011 work-hour reforms for residents there were no changes in patient safety outcomes when comparing patients treated by residents to those treated by hospitalists, according to a study published online Feb. 22 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
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Review: Bariatric Surgery Cuts Cardiovascular Disease, Death
THURSDAY, April 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Bariatric surgery is associated with reduced risk of mortality and cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, according to a review and meta-analysis published in the April 15 issue of the International Journal of Cardiology.
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Worse Cutaneous Melanoma Outcomes for Men Living Alone
THURSDAY, April 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Men living alone have more advanced cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) at diagnosis and have reduced CMM-specific survival, according to a study published online March 31 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Memory Impairment Prevalent in Elderly With Heart Failure
THURSDAY, April 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For older adults with chronic heart failure, memory impairment is common, with impairment correlating positively with heart failure severity, according to a study published in the April 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
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Hands-Free Cellphones Don't Make Driving Safer
THURSDAY, April 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Hands-free cellphone use while driving is not risk-free driving, new research shows.
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Emerging Drug Resistance May Up Gonorrhea Incidence
THURSDAY, April 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Ciprofloxacin resistance may be tied to increased gonorrhea incidence, according to a report published in the April issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Emerging Infectious Diseases.
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Full-Field Digital Mammography Reduces Recall Rate
THURSDAY, April 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Compared with screen-film mammography (SFM), full-field digital mammography (FFDM) is associated with reduced recall and biopsy rates, according to research published online April 1 in Radiology.
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Interarm BP Difference May Up Cardiac Risk in Diabetes
THURSDAY, April 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Interarm differences in systolic blood pressure (BP) in patients with diabetes may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, according to research published online on March 25 in Diabetes Care.
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FDA Approves Sublingual Tablet for Grass Allergies
WEDNESDAY, April 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Oralair has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the first sublingual treatment for certain grass allergies.
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ER Use Up With Health Care Reform in Massachusetts
WEDNESDAY, April 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Implementation of health care reform in Massachusetts was associated with an increase in emergency department use, according to a study published online March 24 in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.
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Half of Uninsured Don't Intend to Sign Up for Health Coverage
WEDNESDAY, April 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- About 50 percent of uninsured adults do not intend to sign up for coverage through the Affordable Care Act's health care exchanges, according to an article published March 26 in Medical Economics.
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β-Amyloid Deposits in Brain Linked to Arterial Stiffness
WEDNESDAY, April 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Cerebral β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition increases with age in nondemented individuals, and this deposition is strongly associated with arterial stiffness, according to a study published online March 31 in JAMA Neurology.
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Tadalafil Not Helpful for ED in Prostate CA Post-Radiotherapy
WEDNESDAY, April 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Among men receiving radiotherapy for prostate cancer, daily use of tadalafil is not more effective than placebo in preventing erectile dysfunction, according to research published in the April 2 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Men With HIV May Face Higher Risk of Coronary Artery Disease
WEDNESDAY, April 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Men who are infected with HIV are at greater risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), according to research published in the April 1 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Seven+ Daily Portions of Fruit, Vegetables Cut Mortality
WEDNESDAY, April 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with reduced mortality, with benefits seen for consumption of seven or more portions per day, according to a study published online March 31 in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.
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ACEIs, Not ARBs, Reduce Cardiac Mortality in Diabetes
WEDNESDAY, April 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), but not angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), reduce all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality, according to research published online March 31 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Lack of Clear Evidence for Health Benefits of Vitamin D
WEDNESDAY, April 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Evidence is lacking for the associations between vitamin D and health outcomes, according to one review published April 1 in BMJ; however, lower levels of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D correlate with increased mortality, according to another review also published April 1 in BMJ.
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Muscle Mass Linked to Lower Mortality in Elderly
WEDNESDAY, April 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For older adults, greater muscle mass is associated with lower mortality, according to a study published online Feb. 18 in The American Journal of Medicine.
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CMS: Medicare Beneficiaries Saved $3.9B on Meds in 2013
TUESDAY, April 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- In 2013, 4.3 million seniors and people with disabilities saved an estimated $3.9 billion on prescription drugs, an increase from the 2012 savings, according to a report published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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Optimization of HIV Tx in Prison Improves Viral Load
TUESDAY, April 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Optimization of HIV treatment regimens during incarceration results in the majority of prisoners achieving viral suppression by release, according to a study published online March 31 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Individualized Risk Should Guide Mammography Screening
TUESDAY, April 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Better decision aids that incorporate individualized risk could improve breast cancer screening, according to a review published in the April 2 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Smoke-Free Legislation Has Significant Health Benefits
TUESDAY, April 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Introduction of smoke-free legislation is associated with reductions in preterm birth and hospital attendance for asthma, according to a review published online March 28 in The Lancet.
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Next-Gen Sequencing May Soon Affect Breast Cancer Care
TUESDAY, April 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Next-generation sequencing (NGS) could significantly impact breast cancer services in the near future, according to a review published online March 27 in the British Journal of Surgery.
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Nearly One-Third of Initial Prescriptions Remain Unfilled
TUESDAY, April 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A sizable number of patients fail to fill their initial drug prescriptions, according to research published in the April 1 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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